EFFECT OF SEX EDUCATION ON NURSES' SKILLS AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES WITH DISABLED PATIENTS.
Contributors: University of Missouri--Kansas City.
Published: 1988
Number of pages: 164
Subjects: Psychology, General.; Health Sciences, Nursing.; Health Sciences, Education.
Description: This study explored the effects of a short-term sex education training program in respect to (1) nurses' sex knowledge, (2) nurses' skills in sex counseling, and (3) outcomes for disabled, heterosexual clients' sexual functioning. It also explored the relationship between nurses' personal sexual behaviors and clients' sexual functioning.

Subjects were registered nurses currently practicing and clients with illnesses affecting sexual functioning. Group N1 (n = 10) were nurses receiving sex education training. Group N2 (n = 10) were nurses receiving no sex education training. Group C3 (n = 27) and Group C4 (n = 27) were clients receiving sex education/counseling from nurses.

Measures used for pre and posttesting with the nurses (groups N1 and N2) were Rating of Audiotaped Counseling Session (RACS), Part II of the Sex Knowledge and Attitude Test (SKAT), Heterosexual Behavior Assessment (HBA), Sexual Arousal Inventory (SAI), Sexual Behavior Inventory (SBI), and Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI). A Rating of Videotaped Role-Play Interview (RVRPI) was used as a posttest only.

Instruments used for pre and posttesting with clients (groups C3 and C4) were the Derogatis Sexual Function Inventory (DSFI), Heterosexual Behavior Assessment (HBA), Sexual Arousal Inventory (SAI), Sexual Behavior Inventory (SBI), and Part II, Sex Knowledge and Attitude Test (SKAT).

The design was quasi-experimental. Nurses were randomly assigned. Clients were matched according to socioeconomic level and severity of illness.

Nurses planned and provided sex counseling for up to three clients. Pre and posttesting for nurses at the time of training, and clients at the time of counseling were conducted.

A series of ANCOVA's resulted in no difference between groups N1 and N2 and no difference between groups C3 and C4. A small but significant correlation (r = 0.272; p $<$ 0.05) between nurses' and clients' sexual behaviors was found.

Sex education training for nurses had no significant effect on their sex knowledge and sex education/counseling skills. It also did not affect outcomes with clients. There may be a relationship between nurses' sexual experience and counseling effect on client outcomes.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-09, Section: B, page: 3987.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI - KANSAS CITY, 1988.

School code: 0134.